Seamen and Crew Ship Worker Injuries/ Jones Act Cases

Michigan seamen and maritime injury lawyers often represent seamen, crew ship workers, and their families in lawsuits arising out of sea vessel injuries.Many maritime injuries occur due to unsafe conditions, lack of safety equipment, and the negligence of the shipping company. Due to the difficult and often dangerous nature of the occupation, these accident frequently cause serious and catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and death.

Congress enacted the Jones Act to protect persons who are members of the crew of a ship or vessel. The Jones Act applies to inland river workers as well as offshore workers who work on a jackup rig, semi-submersible ship or rig, barge, drill ship, tug or towboat, crew boat , drill ship, dredge, floating crane, tanker, cargo ship, fishing vessel, chemical ship, research vessel, construction barge, lay barge, motorized platform, diving vessel, cruise ship, recreational boat or other floating or movable structures. It is a federal cause of action, meaning that the United States Congress intended for all seaman's injuries throughout the nation to be guided by the same liability standards of the Jones Act. Injuries to seaman can include slipping and falling on defective equipment to injuries due to defective safety equipment to silicosis or mesothelioma.

Although the Jones Act protects seamen, it is not the same as workers' compensation. It does not require payment regardless of fault. In order for a worker to recover under the Jones Act, a worker must prove some negligence or fault on the part of the vessel's owners, operators, officers, and/or fellow employees or by reason of any defect in the vessel, its gear, tackle, or equipment.

The Jones Act provides an injured seaman a remedy against his or her employers for injuries arising from negligent acts of the employer or co-workers during the course of employment on a ship or vessel. This means that the employer must do something unreasonable or fail to perform a reasonable act that would have prevented injury in order for the seaman to win his claim. An injured worker's maritime claim under the Jones Act can also raise claims against a vessel's owner that a dangerous condition existed on the vessel that made the vessel unseaworthy.

If you have suffered a sea vessel or maritime injury, contact our Michigan seamen and maritime injury law firm immediately to learn about your legal rights.